Multiphoton ionization of magnesium in a Ti-sapphire laser field

In this paper we report the theoretical results obtained for partial ionization yields and the above-threshold ionization (ATI) spectra of magnesium in a Ti: sapphire laser field (804 nm) in the range of short pulse duration (20-120 fs). Ionization yield, with linearly polarized light for a 120 fs laser pulse, is obtained as a function of the peak intensity motivated by recent experimental data 9]. For this, we have solved the time-dependent Schrödinger equation nonperturbatively on a basis of discretized states obtained with two different methods; one with the two-electron wavefunction relaxed at the boundaries, giving a quadratic discretized basis and the other with the two-electron wavefunction expanded in terms of Mg ⁺ -orbitals plus one free electron allowing the handling of multiple continua (open channels). Results, obtained with the two methods, are compared and advantages and disadvantages of the open-channel method are discussed.Received: 17 June 2003, Published online: 26 August 2003PACS: 32.80.Rm Multiphoton ionization and excitation to highly excited states (e.g., Rydberg states)G. Buic-Zloh: Permanent address: Institute for Space Sciences, P.O. Box MG-23, 76900 Bucharest-Mgurele, Romania.